Abstract: A picker bar includes spindles which are nonaligned in the vertical direction to define two or more offset sets of spindles on the bar and increase the number of spindles per unit length of the spindle bar. A spindle assembly includes support carrying two spindles driven from a picker bar drive shaft by single drive gear. Driven spindle gears are spaced on opposite sides of the shaft axis to facilitate close spacing of the spindles.

Abstract: Removable scale for articulated receiving platform equipping small fruit machines such as for example, grape harvesting machines. The removable scale is made of two parts, namely a first anchor and articulation part. The first part has a fastening lug attached onto the carrying boom of a row of scales and a flexible articulation and assembling lug attached to the fastening lug. There is a second flat part forming the scale itself. The first and second parts are provided with additional quick assembly and disassembly device formed by an automatic locking device in an assembling position, accessible from the top of the removable scale.

Abstract: A harvested crop remains output apparatus for a combine can alternate between a broad distribution operating mode and an ejection elbow operating mode. The harvested crop remains output apparatus includes a housing having a first opening and a second opening; a flap associated with the first opening of the housing; a flap associated with the second opening of the housing; an output conveyor for tangentially conveying harvested crop remains arranged in the housing; a broad distribution arrangement arranged downstream of the first opening; an ejection elbow arranged downstream of the second opening; and a plurality of selection devices for selectively conveying harvested crop remains to the broad distribution arrangement or the ejection elbow. The plurality of selection devices include a first flap associated with the first opening and a second flap associated with the second opening.

Abstract: A rake, pitchfork, or similar forked hand tool or tool head for mechanized machinery has welded tines. The tines each have a lower section located on the backbone of the tool head and a working section extending outwardly from the backbone. Each tine also has two lateral surfaces, two vertical surfaces and a transversely extending back edge surface therebetween. In one embodiment, welds extend the full length of one of the lateral surfaces, the full length of a vertical surface, the transverse length of the back edge surface and down the second vertical surface to the junction between the bottom of the vertical surface and the second lateral surface. Welds can also extend partially along the length of the second lateral surface for a distance not to exceed three quarters of its length. These tines have elongated fracture lines. The resulting tool is far less prone to breakage.

Abstract: A walk-behind power unit is configured to detachably mount a counter-rotating powered drum work implement on a centrally pivoted implement carrier. The pivoting of the implement carrier from a central position to either side causes the discharge of the powered drum to be located on a desired side of the work implement. The work implement can also be positioned to discharge forwardly from the powered drum member. A lift apparatus is provided to be cooperable with an associated set of support wheels to affect the positioning of the powered drum member between a lowered operative position and a raised transport position. The powered, counter-rotating drum member can be either a rotatable broom or a power rake. In the broom configuration, the lift apparatus can move the lid member, after first unlatching the lid member from the frame of the work implement, to fix the lid in an opened position.

Abstract: A method and a system for varying the rotational fan speed of a combine cleaning system in response to the amount of crop entering the combine cleaning system. Increases and decreases in crop material entering the cleaning system are sensed prior to their arrival at the cleaning system, and cleaning fan speed is adjusted appropriately and contemporaneously with the crop material's presence in the cleaning system.

Abstract: A modular pruning machine used in agriculture, viticulture, fruit growing, tree growing or for brush clearing has at least one cutter bar. The cutter bar has cutting modules affixed thereto. Each of the cutting modules has a rotary cutting tool and a three-phase asynchronous electric motor such that the three-phase asynchronous electric motor individually rotatably drives the rotary cutting tool.

Abstract: A system to sense incipient slugging of a rotor by sensing a rotor speed signal, an engine speed signal and a first hydraulic motor speed signal, combining the rotor speed signal and the engine speed signal to provide a second hydraulic motor speed signal, and determining incipient slugging based upon the first and second speed signals, and thereby preventing potential damage to threshing components.

Abstract: A machine for gathering products such as grass, including a main frame bearing a first lateral gathering device with which a first windrowing device is associated and a second lateral gathering device with which a second windrowing device is associated. The main frame further bears a central gathering device with which a third windrowing device is associated and the central gathering device and the third windrowing device can be moved relative to the main frame into a first and a second position.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to braking high-speed rotational cutting equipment. In particular, some embodiments relate to forestry machinery having a cutting or mower apparatus, and further having a hydraulic brake. The brake includes a counterbalance valve which pressurizes fluid at the motor outlet to a predetermined level when flow of hydraulic fluid from a pump to a motor is discontinued. The hydraulic brake may include a restrictor orifice to reduce sudden pressure increases on the motor. The predetermined pressure level may be between about 2000 psi and about 4000 psi and the orifice may have a diameter of between about 0.025 and 0.040 inches. The counterbalance vent port can hydraulically connect to the motor case line. An anti-cavitation valve can be at the counterbalance valve port and can supply fluid to the motor inlet after the flow from the pump discontinues. Additional embodiments include related hydraulic control systems and methods.

Abstract: Power equipment widely used in commercial, residential and recreational settings comprises a host implement and a demountable motor. The host implement has a frame, a mounting block with a first latch component secured to the frame, a driven shaft connected to the frame with a working piece connected to one terminus and a self-locating and locking coupler on the other terminus. The demountable motor has a spacing block with a second latch component and further has a drive shaft extending through the spacing block. The drive shaft has a second self-locating and locking coupler on its terminus. When the demountable motor is positioned on the host implement, the respective couplers mechanically mate so a power from the demountable motor can be transferred to the working piece. The latch components of the mounting block and spacing block interact to hold the host implement to the demountable motor.

Abstract: A mower includes a support structure on which are articulated about substantially horizontal axes at least two mowing units each including a frame carrying at least one cutterbar and one conveyor belt, which mowing units can be moved about the axes from a working position to a transport position. The conveyor belts are articulated relative to the cutterbars about conveyor belt axes and the mower further includes a mechanism for automatically moving the conveyor belts about their axes of articulation to bring them closer to the carrier frames and consequently to the middle of the mower when placed in the transport position.

Abstract: A mower unit includes a mower deck, a plurality of blades mounted inside the mower deck and rotatable about vertical shafts supported to the mower deck, the mower deck defining, on one lateral side thereof, a discharge outlet for discharging cut grass cut by the plurality of blades, and an opening and closing member configured to be movable to a closing position for closing the discharge outlet and also to an opening position away from the discharge outlet for opening the discharge outlet, the opening and closing member at the opening position being disposed along an outer face of the mower deck.

Abstract: A mower tractor includes a vehicle body supported by a plurality of wheels; an engine mounted to the vehicle body; a mower suspended from the vehicle body; at least one grass collector bag for collecting grass cut by the mower; a grass collector bag holder supporting said at least one grass collector bag at a position on one side with respect to the engine; and a stopper portion for abutting against the grass collector bag so as to prevent the grass collector bag supported by the grass collector bag holder from moving toward the vehicle body.

Abstract: The crop lifter and air assist feeding assembly for a floating cutter bar header includes a lower tube that is generally horizontal. An upper tube is fixed to the front end of the horizontal tube and extends upwardly and rearwardly to an air discharge orifice. A vine lifting rod is attached to the upper tube. The lower tube is mounted under a knife guard. A skid plate connected to the cutter bar has an attached terminal air supply tube. The terminal air supply tube passes through a front portion of the skid plate and attaches to the lower tube. An elastic and flexible tube is positioned above the skid plate, and is connected to the terminal supply tube and to terminal air supply tube and a blower air delivery tube under the skid plate.

Abstract: A front rotor inlet section for a rotor of an agricultural combine, including anti-wind features for preventing winding or wrapping of plant materials about a front bearing therearound, and features for providing a straw ejecting capability, including at least one radially outwardly extending slot in a protuberance located adjacent to the front bearing and operable for conveying plant material to a radial outer region of the inlet section, and at least one shoulder or lip on the radial outer region extending at least partially circumferentially therearound and rearwardly, for conveying the crop material rearwardly away from the bearing.

Abstract: The present invention is a compact fruit-vine harvester and separation system in which the harvested fruit travels along a vertical plane inside the harvester during processing, followed by a single turn for output. The system includes a machine and related methods for harvesting vine-borne crops. The machine is relatively compact, and provides for vine borne crops to be severed, separated, cleaned and machine-sorted along a longitudinal axis before making a single turn prior to exit. Harvested fruit passing through the machine drops by as much as 18 inches less than in other harvesters, thereby reducing the potential for fruit damage. The machine incorporates a combination blower and suction system for efficient removal of unwanted dirt, vegetation and debris, and an optional roller to prevent clogging of the suction system.

Abstract: A foot-actuated mower deck lift mechanism for a riding lawnmower comprising first and second foot pedals for adjusting the cutting height of the mower deck. The foot pedals are suitable for engagement by an operator's foot to raise, latch and lower the cutting deck. The first pedal is connected to a lift linkage to adjust the height of the cutting deck upon actuation of the first pedal by the operator's foot. The second pedal is configured to automatically latch the mower deck into a raised transport position when the first pedal is depressed a preset amount, and to unlatch the mower deck upon actuation by the operator's foot. An adjustable pin-actuated height index mechanism is implemented to provide a plurality of predetermined cutting heights for the mower deck.

Abstract: A riding lawnmower with a chassis having a rear portion with two rear wheels, and a cutting blade deck having one or more rotary blades. Batteries are positioned in a U-shaped array around the right side, left side, and rear end of the chassis, above and near the rear wheels to maintain a low center of gravity. The weight of the batteries is evenly distributed over the rear wheels to maintain balance. The batteries are connected in series to each other and to an electric motor. The electric motor is positioned within a central portion of the U-shaped array of batteries. A single electric motor drives both the rotary cutting blades and the rear wheels, which is made possible by placing the batteries near and above the rear wheels, and by positioning the electric motor under the seat.

Abstract: A grass collector adapted to be attached to a rear of a riding-type mower for receiving cut grass from a mower unit through a duct, the grass collector comprises a front container section having a rearwardly facing opening and adapted to be attached to the riding-type mower, the front container section carrying a first bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position; and a rear container section supported pivotably about a pivot point located in a rear upper region of the front container section and pivotable between a first position wherein the rear container section substantially covers the opening of the front container section and a second position pivoted from the first position to allow cut grass to fall, the rear container section having a second bottom plate having a substantially horizontal position.